Don't be a Dork - Protect Yourself



Get Advice from Take our Word.com on take-our-word.com. Don't be a Dork - Protect Yourself topic will increase your understanding on Advice from Take our Word.com. We at take-our-word.com only provide news, articles, information in Advice from Take our Word.com. Advice from Take our Word.com at take-our-word.com provides the most up to date news and articles. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

There are folks out there who use their powers for evil, not good. Let’s not give them the opportunity to sneak into our lives and wreak havoc. Submitted for your reading pleasure are some of my tips to protect yourself and your identity.

Gone Phishin’
When I was a wee lass, my Grandpa George would take me to the pond on a warm Saturday afternoon and we’d fish for hours. Unfortunately, this type of Phishing has nothing to do with warm fuzzy memories of my Grandfather.

Phishing (sounds just like fishing) usually arrives in your inbox in the form of a spoofed e-mail message. It sure looks legit, huh? Well, it’s not. Phishers blast e-mail messages in the hopes you’ll take the bait and click the links, which will redirect you to a fake website. What do they want? Your account numbers, PIN numbers, SSNs: anything they can use to gain entry to bank and brokerage accounts and other financial information.

Remember, your brokerage, bank, credit union and credit card provider will never ask for this information via e-mail. They will never ask you to login to your account to confirm information.

If you feel you’ve been phished, do not access the links included in the e-mail. Also, reporting the phishing to your ISP and the Anti-Phishing Working Group (http://www.antiphishing.org/).

The Paper Trail – Snatch that Receipt
I bet you’re the type to leave the receipt at the gas pump and at the ATM when you make that late night deposit. Smack on the hand and shame on you – stop doing that! Take ALL receipts when you make a purchase or a deposit, when you return items, etc. When you go to the clothing store, take the receipt out of the bag and place it in your wallet.

Save all receipts until you receive your end-of-month statements (see Two Dollars below). Also, don’t throw away your receipts; see my notes on shredding

It’s … Like … Magic!
Pet Peeve: Folks who use cheesy passwords to protect their online accounts – you people make me crazy! I recently hired a client and I’m managing several e-mail accounts for him. Guess what password he used for ALL of them? You guessed it: magic. I immediately changed the passwords on all of the accounts and then we had a chat.

You should never use a word you can find in a dictionary as your password. You should never use your birthday, the names of your wife or children or dog as passwords. Use a combination of letters and numbers and where possible, add special characters such as a bang (!) to your password. Also, change your passwords frequently, such as once a quarter or every six months.

What’s the “S” for, Anyway?
Ever notice certain website changes when you’re making online purchases? There’s an “s” which appears after HTTP, for starters. This let’s you know you’re on a secure server. Also, check the status bar on the window you’re using to make the purchase. You should see a yellow padlock -- mouse over the lock and you’ll see the encryption level for the site.

If you don’t see both of these items, do not make the purchase right now and notify the vendor. Go back and make the purchase at a later time.

I Didn’t Charge Two Dollars
Every month, without fail, I want to you check your statements from your credit union, bank, brokerage, credit card companies -- any institution from which you receive a paper statement or an online statement. If the bad guys have access to your account, they may try and slip in a small charge before coming with the big guns. Take a look at each and every line item and verify you’ve made the purchase. If something is amiss, call that institution immediately.

The Joy of Shredding
I have a special “shred” basket near my desk and shred all of the basket’s contents at the end of the work day. My personal receipts, which I no longer need and have reconciled against my online statements, get shredded. All working documents I’ve printed or proofed, especially for my attorney clients, are blitzed at the end of day as well. Anything which may personally identify me or one of my clients gets the treatment.

You have no logical excuse for not owning a shredder. Price? Hardly an issue. You don’t have a car to get to the office supply store? If you’re reading this article that means you’ve got internet access. Start a new browser window NOW and access your favorite online office supply vendor. You’ll have your new shredder in a matter of days and you too can become a Shredder Queen (or King).

We live in a different world from just a generation ago. Be smart, be aware and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it is.



Type At Home - Converts All Traffic Ez. - www.type-at-home.com/affiliates.html - Stop wasting your time for Tiny Profits! Try it and See for Yourself!
Go Up Strong! - Increase Your Vertical and Teach Yourself to Dunk in a Matter of Days using this Revolutionary New System!


Article Index: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57


Advice
Home Business
Technology
Online Advertising
Motivational
Internet Marketing
SEO Help
Online Games
Science Articles
Happiness

More Articles:


1. Corporate Survival... How to manage yourself in the political playing field!
In my first corporate job, I had high expectations that promotions werebased on a solid work ethic and quality production. I wanted to aim for thetop and make it happen. Unfortunately, my ideas of corporate environmentwere inaccurate. As a grunt, an engineer, and a manager, the games, turfwars, and political thrashings taught me numerous incredible lessons. Inthe end, I made it to where I wanted to be, but not without bruises,scrapes, and experie…

2. True Love and Chemistry: Exploring Myth and Reality
When you think about the qualities found in a true 'soul mate' relationship, what one word comes up most often on the top of your list?Is it CHEMISTRY? Probably.Just the mention of this term conjures up powerful feelings and images for anyone who has ever been in or seeking a love relationship. It is often described as a feeling that leaves you breathless, excited and weak in the knees. Palms sweat, the heart races and the body tingles with nervo…

3. Everything Old Becomes New Again
Think that something you have had since you were a teen-ager can't be worth much?Think again! Even if you are only now in your twenties...it won't be long until that dress, purse, tie, jewelry, perfume bottle or sport memorabilia will be sought after. It never ceases to amaze me just what can become the hottest collectible at any given moment...and it never ceases to bring me joy to find that I have it! Right now, I am enjoying watching my daught…

4. Five Proven Methods for Internet Marketing Success
Five Proven Methods for Internet Marketing Success By Andria Duer There are hundreds of ways that you can promote your online business or website, some more effective than others. These five proven methods will help you to generate traffic to your site and also to generate income into your wallet. 1. One thing that appeals to everyone is 'free.' If it is free people will take it. Think of the samples of cheese given away at grocery stores. …